Academics from China and South Africa co-organized an international seminar titled “The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Cross-Cultural Communication” on March 23 in Cape Town. More than 50 scholars and experts attended the seminar, during which Gao Xiang, secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and editor-in-chief of Social Sciences in China Press, delivered a keynote speech.

Gao explained the close relationship between the Maritime Silk Road and cross-cultural communication. As a significant historical tradition, cross-cultural communication can help to build the Maritime Silk Road, which requires support from the humanities and social sciences, he said.
 

“Let’s strive to preserve cultural diversity as well as promote dialogue and exchanges among different cultures so that the construction of the Maritime Silk Road can be more effective and splendid,” Gao said when he concluded his speech.
 

The seminar was hosted by Temba Masilela, vice-president of the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa. On behalf of the Chinese and South African think tanks respectively, Gao and Olive Shisana, president of the council, signed a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding on collaborative research before the meeting. According to the MOU, bilateral cooperative studies will focus on economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, which can provide more decision-making and policy suggestions for the governments.